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Cited by 436Treatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disordersFatty Acid Research and Health

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 90 of the 90 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Adjunctive Nutraceuticals for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

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Sarris, Jerome, Murphy, Jenifer, Mischoulon, David, Papakostas, George I., Fava, Maurizio, Berk, Michael, Ng, Chee H.·2016·American Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15091228
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There is burgeoning interest in augmentation strategies for improving inadequate response to antidepressants. The adjunctive use of standardized pharmaceutical-grade nutrients, known as nutraceuticals, has the potential to modulate several neurochemical pathways implicated in depression. While many studies have been conducted in this area, to date no specialized systematic review (or meta-analysis) has been conducted. METHOD: A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted up to December 2015 for clinical trials using adjunctive nutrients for depression. Where sufficient data were available, a random-effects model analyzed the standard mean difference between treatment and placebo in the change from baseline to endpoint, combining the effect size data. Funnel plot and heterogeneity analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Primarily positive results were found for replicated studies testing S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methylfolate, omega-3 (primarily EPA or ethyl-EPA), and vitamin D, with positive isolated studies for creatine, folinic acid, and an amino acid combination. Mixed results were found for zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, and tryptophan, with nonsignificant results for inositol. No major adverse effects were noted in the studies (aside from minor digestive disturbance). A meta-analysis of adjunctive omega-3 versus placebo revealed a significant and moderate to strong effect in favor of omega-3. Conversely, a meta-analysis of folic acid revealed a nonsignificant difference from placebo. Marked study heterogeneity was found in a Higgins test for both omega-3 and folic acid studies; funnel plots also revealed asymmetry (reflecting potential study bias). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence supports adjunctive use of SAMe, methylfolate, omega-3, and vitamin D with antidepressants to reduce depressive symptoms.

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Crossref · 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15091228

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Basoglu C, 2009, Klin Psikofarmakol Bul., 19, 135
  2. Levitan RD, 2000, J Psychiatry Neurosci, 25, 337
  3. Nardini M, 1983, Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 3, 239
  4. Ranjbar E, 2013, Iran J Psychiatry, 8, 73
  5. Ferraro PM, 2015, Am J Kidney Dis

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Metadata

Authors
Sarris, J., Murphy, J., Mischoulon, D., Papakostas, G. I., Fava, M., Berk, M., & Ng, C. H.
Affiliations
  • Barwon Health (AU)
  • From the ARCADIA Mental Health Research Group, Professorial Unit, Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; the Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; the IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia;...
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published
2016-06-01
Volume
173
Issue
6
Pages
575-587
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
DOI
10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15091228
OpenAlex
W2345186616
Cited by
436
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 95 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 15
FWCI
5.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
Keywords
depression, nutraceuticals, adjunctive therapy, antidepressant augmentation, S-adenosylmethionine, methylfolate, omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, vitamin D, folic acid, creatine, zinc, tryptophan, myo-inositol, depressive symptoms
MeSH terms
Antidepressive Agents, Depression, Drug Therapy, Combination, Humans, Dietary Supplements

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